Relics and Religious Diplomacy: The Veneration of Saintly Remains

Russians are queueing to venerate the relics of Saint Nicholas, a bishop of the fourth century which is remembered in church history as a discreetly generous shepherd of his flock, to whom sailors, travellers and vulnerable women have looked for protection. Russian believers, including the tsars who bore his name, have always a particular fondness for the saint. In western Europe, he became known as Santa Claus. The relics' arrival on May 21st (from their long-term home in the Italian port of Bari) was greeted with full military honours. Church bells pealed across Moscow as holy fragments were brought to the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.